Run it

My brother-in-law Quin and I ran in the Fort Worth Turkey Trot 5k on Thanksgiving morning. The morning started off pretty rough. I woke up and drove to Quin's house, where we met up to drive to downtown. I felt sick every time we passed a Mexican restaurant, which basically translates to me being sick the whole way to the race. I didn't notice until this Thanksgiving trip just how many Mexican restaurants there are in Texas. And churches.

The trot. This race was a ZOO. I called it a circus the whole time. I seriously could not believe the mayhem that was going on all around me. We were dodging dogs (and leashes), baby strollers, walkers, people with turkeys on their heads, and everything in between. Now I can see this happening in Utah (no offense, Utah--there are just big families in Utah and sometimes maybe little etiquette) but in Fort Worth, Texas? As I was running, I realized that Utahns obviously take running and fitness more seriously (you're welcome, Utah), and Texans just love to drink and have a good time... I guess? Anyway, it was a zoo. My friend Robin told me that she watched on TV a couple get married during the race. What??... What?

It turns out that I was legitimately sick. I had some sort of virus and was fragile for about three days. Quin was also sick with a cold. We actually showed that race who's boss--in my opinion.

And here's what two sickies look like after a freezing 5k on Thanksgiving morning. And my dad was there for me at the finish line! Thanks, Daddy! I'm trying my best to stay an "elite runner." ;)

Guilty pleasure

You might know what this is going to be about. David Archuleta. David is definitely my guilty pleasure--emphasis on guilty. David is performing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for their annual Christmas concert at the Conference Center. These concerts (with free tickets) have become so wildly popular that you now have to register to be in the lottery to get tickets. No, I didn't register for the lottery ten times... You can personally register only once. I made my mom and four sisters register and not one of our names was drawn out of the magic hat!

My 22nd birthday gift with David

Well, I have friends at work who know of my love for David, so they used their connections to get some tickets to watch the concert from the Tabernacle (a different building). I had made up my mind to wait in the snowy stand-by line (with someone who loves me enough to endure the cold to see David--Stacy, that would be you).

Then beautiul Becki called me yesterday and left a text message: "Sorry, you're probably at work! But I have tickets to the Christmas concert with David Archuleta if you are interested!" I had a brief celebration in my cubicle and called Becki back. She said I was the first person she thought of when she decided not to use the tickets. Becki, thank you for thinking of me!

A photo I may have doctored

I found out about the tickets yesterday, and my sister-in-law Erin sends me this text today (I hadn't told her Becki offered me tickets): "Just saw David Archuleta at the Nieman Marcus parade downtown. I took a pic for you :)"

And back in October Kari sent this text to me: "Every time I hear Davy I think of you."

Okay, so everyone knows I'm obsessed already. Oh, but the best quote is from when I told my mom I got tickets last night: "This just couldn't have happened to a nicer person." Thanks, Mom.

London round 2

Changing the Guard in front of Buckingham Palace

Windy day in front of Buckingham Palace

A tiny peek of the London Eye--love the crown on top of the pole

Breathtaking gardens at Buckingham Palace

At the Italian Gardens in Hyde Park

Mom, Dad--this is where Tubby the dog fell into the water and the German girl in white pants fished him out.

I couldn't get enough of Hyde Park, obviously.

Children's memorial to Princess Diana

We went to church on Sunday (singles' ward). The building is by the College of Science and Technology, the Natural History Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum. Pretty neat.

Welcome to London

Finally. After the sneak peek in my last post, I am finally posting photos from my recent (or not-so-recent) trip to Europe, starting in London.

We arrived on a foggy day in London town. I did have Michael Buble's song stuck in my head the whole time we were there. I never quite got used to looking the correct way when crossing the street; no wonder they print "look left" or "look right." There was an occasional "look both ways," which is what I eventually resorted to every time.

When we got off the plane we were famished. We ran to KFC to get a "snack." Turns out their snack popcorn chicken is the size of my pinky.

Well hello! Fancy meeting you at Windsor Castle. The queen lives in Buckingham Palace during the week, Windsor Castle on the weekends, in Ireland over Easter, and I don't have my notes for the last one.

One of my attempts at being artsy at Windsor Castle. I am not my talented sister Stacy.

Here's a glimpse of the gardens at Windsor Castle.

My first sighting of the queen's guards.

The guard wouldn't cooperate, obviously.

"There's no way of knowing. In which direction we are going."

I found an authentic London shop full of sweeties! The teenage candy-dishers made it even more charming.

Melissa... well, she likes to whistle. A lot. So it was very fortunate we found this store. She doesn't have to pucker up to do it.

And, if you know me, I'm always up for a good knee-slapper.

I edited the photo so there was a more 'classic' feel because a telephone-booth pic in London? Classic.

And welcome to Hyde Park. This is just a little taste of my next round of pictures.

HP Confession

I have a confession to make: I haven't read Harry Potter 7. Gasp.

I was looking up movie times the other day and saw that the first half of Harry Potter 7 is coming out in November. There's still time to read the book, but I'm so opposed to reading the book right before the movie comes out because I'm always disappointed by the movie--you know, details missing, actors not matching the characters you've created in your head, etc. Therefore it's ideal to read the book at least a year before the movie comes out. I'm not one of those who rereads the book right before the movie release. Who am I kidding? I haven't even read number seven once.



Oh look! My first posted picture from my Europe trip!

Don't you fear, though. I am still an avid Harry Potter fan. Even though I didn't have the chance to make it out to King's Cross Station to see Platform Nine and Three-Quarters while I was in London, I did snap this picture in a train station in London--between platforms 9 and 10! Does that count?!

I can't believe I started reading Harry Potter 10.5 years ago. Do I have you beat? Yep, I read the first book on my trip to Asia in 2000 and absolutely had to buy the second one while we were there. After scouring every bookstore in Asia, we finally found the British version [Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, which I suppose would be the original version since J.K. is from Great Britain and all (Hold the phone. After further review, this would be book one of the series. I have my story mixed up but choose not to correct myself.] in Japan!

Are you an HP fan?

The break-in

Kari and Becki, thank you for your wonderful suggestions. The rest of you failed me. We still haven't put anything on the walls, but hopefully we will soon so we can have our housewarming party!

I moved into my apartment a little over two weeks ago after packing, moving, and cleaning from 9 am to 6 pm. My wonderful Stacy and Pierce helped me pack, clean, and move while cousin James and precious sons Dallin and Cody helped me move! Needless to say, it was a long day (the night before I'd gone camping, which was probably not the best idea), but I had been planning on attending a wedding reception that night for one of my very good friends Rachael and therefore couldn't rest.

Pack, move, clean--check. After helping my roommate clean the rest of the kitchen, I moved all my kitchen supplies and food to my new apartment. The door was locked. I used the one key I had but the cleaning service that had been there that morning locked both locks and the landlord still hadn't given me the other one so I was locked out. I'd just left my old key at my old apartment so I couldn't go back. I was dirty with sweat and campfire smoke on my skin and in my hair. Locked out and losing daylight, I still needed to get into my apartment to shower up for the reception! First thing to do was call my landlord who never answers his phone. "Hi John, I'm trying to get into the apartment but the cleaning service locked both locks and I really need to get in to get ready for a wedding reception, so . . . . " "Message deleted. Please record new message." WHAT! I hate it when the voicemail does that.

Desperate, dirty, and in panic mode, I tried to break in to my apartment. John had told me about how girls have broken into the windows (why he told me? I forget), so that was my first move. I found the window to my bedroom, proceeded to remove the screen (luckily I live on the first floor), open the window, lift the blinds. I don't have a red bedspread! Why is my light on? And is someone in my room? "OH MY GOSH," I thought. "I just broke into my neighbor's room. Shut the blinds, close the window, forget the screen!" I ditched it on the ground and fled the scene.

Just then my friend Berkeley called. "Ahh, that's not my room!" is the first thing she heard when I answered the phone. I explained the situation to her. As I'm trying to open the other windows that do belong to my apartment, I notice about five people down the sidewalk staring at me. All I can think is, "This is my new apartment, I promise! I'm locked out! And quit staring at me. I know I look like death and smell even worse." Thankfully none of the windows to MY apartment open from the outside although at that moment I wished they did. Berkeley must have been inspired to call at that moment. "Have you tried carding the door like Kathleen (our old roommate) used to do?" "Berkeley, you're brilliant! Let me call you back."

Next plan of action: card my way in. Unfortunately there was a man painting the stairs right next to my door. He was basically sitting on my head when I started jimmying the lock. When I realized that I had piqued his interest, I said aloud, "Yes, I am trying to break into my own apartment. Don't mind me." "I don't know if that's really going to work. If it did I would be really surpri..." Click! And the door magically opened. I fell into my apartment with my kitchen supplies and food. "You forgot your keys on the doorstep," I heard. "Thanks, dude!"

Success. After tearing open bags and boxes, I found my shower supplies. After tearing open more bags and more boxes, I found a dress that would be appropriate for the reception. Tired and surrounded by torn-open bags, boxes, suitcases, and clothes, I called my brother-in-law to get directions to the reception. Turns out it was an hour away and ended at 8:30. It was 7:30. BOO! I missed the reception. But it made for a good story.

When I find out who lives in the room next to mine and become better friends with her, maybe I'll tell her I was the one who broke in to her apartment. And Berkeley suggested we make her brownies to help assuage the situation. But maybe not... :)

Need suggestions!

I moved into a new apartment with my dear friend Berkeley. The best part about this apartment is that it's meant for four girls, and so far we're the only two living there. Cross your fingers it stays that way!

The bad thing about it being just the two of us is neither of us has decorations (or many decorations, I should say). We need to spruce up some very drab walls. Do you have any suggestions? I'm hoping some of you have good ways to make inexpensive decorations or could possibly point me to your favorite stores, etc.

Here are some pics of what we're dealing with.






Thank you for helping me make my home look cute!